BR112019020732A2 - RETENTION RING ANTIMIGRATION SYSTEM, AND, METHOD FOR INSTALLING A RETENTION RING ANTIMIGRATION SYSTEM. - Google Patents

Abstract

a retaining ring antimigration system and method. an anti-immigration retaining ring system for a centrifugal pump shaft includes a pair of trap sleeves that enclose a pair of retaining rings, a retaining ring around each end of the shaft enclosed by a trap sleeve, the pair of retaining rings migrating the shaft both upward and downward. a retaining ring anti-migration system includes a retaining ring seated in a shaft groove extending circumferentially around an electric submersible pump (esp) shaft, a retaining sleeve extending around the esp axis adjacent to the retaining ring , the trap sleeve including a sleeve body attached to the esp axis such that the trap sleeve rotates with the esp axis and a jacket that extends axially from the sleeve body over an outside diameter of the retaining ring with a clearance between the shaft and the liner.

Description

RETENTION RING ANTI-MIGRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING A RETENTION RING ANTI-MIGRATION SYSTEM

FUNDAMENTALS

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The modalities of the invention described here refer to the field of retaining rings for electric submersible pump shafts. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention allow a retaining ring anti-migration system and method.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED TECHNIQUE

[002] Fluids, such as gas, oil or water, are usually located in underground formations. When the pressure inside the well is not sufficient to force the fluid out of the well, the fluid must be pumped to the surface so that it can be collected, separated, refined, distributed and / or sold. Centrifugal pumps are typically used in electric submersible pump (ESP) applications to lift fluids to the surface. In multi-stage centrifugal pumps, multiple stages of impeller and diffuser pairs are stacked in series around the pump shaft, with each successive impeller seated on a previous stage diffuser. The pump shaft extends longitudinally through the center of the stacked stages. The shaft rotates and the impeller is keyed to the shaft, causing the impeller to rotate with the shaft and resulting in increased pressure. A conventional vertical ESP assembly includes, from the bottom up, a motor, seal section, intake section and multistage centrifugal pump. Each component of the assembly has a splined shaft that runs longitudinally through its centers, which are connected together and rotated by the motor.

[003] Conventional shafts included within the ESP assembly, such as the motor shaft, seal shaft or pump shaft, include

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2/22 typically a spiral ring at each end to prevent the axle from migrating axially. Typically, the spiral rings are seated within the grooves near the top and bottom of the shaft. When in place, the spiral ring acts as a shoulder to prevent the shaft from sliding axially beyond an allowable distance from the shaft travel. A typical spiral ring installed near the bottom of an ESP pump shaft is shown in FIG. IA and FIG. 1B. The conventional spiral ring 105 extends around the conventional axis 100 near the end of the axis and rests within a groove below the conventional spacer sleeve 110.

[004] A problem that arises is that conventional spiral rings come loose from their shaft grooves and migrate out of position. The migration may be the result of inappropriate installation practices, such as over-stretching or external forces during pump operation. Once outside the shaft groove, the conventional spiral ring can no longer function to limit the axial movement of an axis, and the axis moves axially. Axial displacement of the shaft can lead to limited production and possible system failure.

[005] As is evident from the above, the currently available spiral spiral rings tend to migrate and are therefore not suitable for retaining ESP axes that are prone to axial displacement. Therefore, there is a need for a retaining ring antimigration system and method.

SUMMARY

[006] One or more embodiments of the invention allow an anti-immigration ring system and method.

[007] A retaining ring antimigration system and method is described. An illustrative embodiment of a retaining ring anti-migration system includes a retaining ring seated in a shaft groove, the shaft groove extending circumferentially around an electric submersible pump (ESP) shaft, a retaining sleeve extending in

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3/22 about the ESP axis adjacent to the retaining ring, the trap sleeve including a sleeve body attached to the ESP axis such that the trap sleeve rotates with the ESP axis and a jacket that extends axially from the body of the sleeve over an outside diameter of the retaining ring and a gap between the ESP axis and an inner diameter of the jacket. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the retaining ring is pressed against the inner diameter of the jacket. In certain embodiments, the trap sleeve also includes a sleeve groove that extends circumferentially around the inner diameter of the jacket opposite the shaft groove, the retaining ring being at least partially in the groove in the shaft and at least partially in the groove in the shaft. glove. In some embodiments, the glove groove is close to an intersection between the glove body and the shirt, and the retaining ring abuts the glove body. In certain embodiments, the glove body is attached to the ESP axis by a key, the jacket includes a 180 ° notch of the key and the retaining ring includes a pair of ears that extend into the notch. In some embodiments, the ESP shaft is a centrifugal pump shaft and the retaining ring is seated in the grooves nearby at one end of the ESP shaft. In certain embodiments, the retaining ring is separated from the grooves by a drain clearance. In some embodiments, an intersection between the sleeve body and the shirt forms a shoulder, and the retaining ring is wedged against the shoulder to limit axial migration of the ESP axis. In some embodiments, there are at least two retaining rings and at least two retaining sleeves around the ESP axis, a first retaining ring of at least two retaining rings and a first retaining sleeve of at least two attached gloves adjacent to a top of the ESP axis, and a second retaining ring of the at least two retaining rings and a second trap sleeve of the at least two trap sleeves attached adjacent to a bottom of the ESP axis. In certain embodiments, the jacket is configured to prevent radial expansion of the retaining ring. In some modalities, the

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4/22 retaining ring is one of a spiral ring, spring ring or a loop ring.

[008] An illustrative embodiment of a method for installing an anti-migration ring retaining system around an electric submersible pump (ESP) shaft includes aligning a retaining ring with a sleeve groove that extends circumferentially around an interior of a shirt, the shirt extending from a body of a trap sleeve, passing a collar of a shim tool within an inner diameter of the retaining ring to expand the retaining ring in the groove of the shirt, sliding the sleeve trap ring with expanded retaining ring and shim tool around the ESP axis until the retaining ring is aligned with an axis groove and a key along the body of the trap sleeve is keyed to the ESP axis, and remove the collar from inside the retaining ring to allow the retaining ring to relax in the groove of the shaft. In some embodiments, the method also includes blocked migration of the retaining ring out of the shaft groove with the liner. In certain embodiments, the relaxed retaining ring rests partly on the shaft groove and partly on the liner groove. In some embodiments, the jacket includes a 180 ° notch of the key, the retaining ring includes a pair of ears and the retaining ring is aligned with the groove of the jacket such that the pair of ears extends into the notch. In certain embodiments, the shaft groove is close to the end of the ESP shaft and the retaining ring prevents axial migration of the ESP shaft. In some embodiments, before sliding the trap sleeve around the ESP axis, the ESP axis includes a second keyed trap sleeve next to a second end of the ESP axis, the second trap sleeve including a second jacket that extends over a second retaining ring positioned around the ESP axis. In certain embodiments, when installed, the retaining ring and the second retaining ring together prevent the

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5/22 axial displacement of the ESP axis in addition to a drain clearance.

[009] An illustrative embodiment of a retaining ring anti-migration system for a centrifugal pump shaft of an electric submersible pump set, the retaining ring anti-migration system including a pair of trap sleeves comprising a pair of retaining ring, a retaining ring of the pair of retaining rings around each end of the shaft enclosed by a trap sleeve from the pair of trap sleeves, the pair of retaining rings configured to limit the axial migration of the up and down axis and a plurality of centrifugal pump stages between the even axis of retaining rings. In some embodiments, each trap glove in the pair of trap gloves includes a jacket that extends from a body, the body keyed to the shaft and the intersection of the jacket and body forming a shoulder against which the retaining ring wedges to limit axial migration of the shaft. In certain embodiments, the retaining ring anti-migration system also includes a series of gloves switched on the shaft between a trap sleeve and a centrifugal pump impeller. In some embodiments, the pair of trap sleeves includes a first trap sleeve near a bottom end of the shaft coupled with a first retaining ring of the pair of retaining rings, and a second trap sleeve near a top end of the shaft coupled with a second retaining ring of the pair of retaining rings, the first trap sleeve including an elongated sleeve and the first retaining ring axially movable under the sleeve, and a second trap sleeve comprising a sleeve groove in that the second retaining ring extends into the sleeve groove.

[0010] In other modalities, the characteristics of specific modalities can be combined with characteristics of other modalities. For example, the characteristics of one modality can be combined with characteristics of any of the other modalities. In others

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6/22 modalities, additional features can be added to the specific modalities described here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Advantages of the present invention may become evident to those skilled in the art, with the benefit of the following detailed description and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. IA is a sectional view of a conventional axis with a conventional spiral ring of the prior art.

[0012] FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the conventional axis and the conventional spiral ring of FIG. 1A of the prior art.

[0013] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of an anti-immigration ring retaining system of an illustrative embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the antimigration ring retaining system of FIG. 2A.

[0015] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of an anti-migration ring retaining system of an illustrative embodiment limiting the upward movement of an exemplary axis.

[0016] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of an anti-immigration retaining ring system of an illustrative embodiment limiting the downward movement of an exemplary axis.

[0017] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a trap glove of an illustrative embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a trap glove having an illustrative embodiment of a glove slot.

[0019] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view along line 4C-4C of FIG. 4A of a trap glove of an illustrative embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of line 4D-4D of FIG. 4B of a trap glove of an illustrative embodiment having a

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7/22 sleeve slot of an illustrative embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of an anti-immigration retaining ring system of an illustrative embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the antimigration ring retaining system of FIG. 5A.

[0023] FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of an anti-immigration retaining ring system of an illustrative embodiment illustrating a notched retaining sleeve of illustrative embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 6B is a bottom plan view of an anti-immigration retaining ring system of an illustrative embodiment illustrating a notched retaining sleeve of illustrative embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 6C is a view is a sectional view of an anti-immigration retaining ring system of an illustrative embodiment illustrating a notched retaining sleeve of illustrative embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 6D is an enlarged view of the antimigration ring retaining system of FIG. 6C.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a shim tool of an illustrative embodiment.

[0028] FIGS. 8A-8D are a sectional view of a method of installing an anti-immigration retaining ring system of an illustrative embodiment.

[0029] Although the invention is susceptible to several modifications and alternative forms, specific modalities of them are shown by way of example in the drawings and can be described in detail here. Drawings may not be scaled. It should be understood, however, that the modalities described herein and shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

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8/22

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] A retaining ring antimigration system and method is described. In the following exemplary description, numerous specific details are presented in order to provide a more complete understanding of the modalities of the invention. It will, however, be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. In other cases, specific characteristics, quantities, or measurements well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Readers should note that, although the examples of the invention are presented here, the claims and the full scope of any equivalents are those that define the limits and limits of the invention.

[0031] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a" "one" and "the" include plural referents, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, the reference to a "retaining ring" includes one or more retaining rings.

[0032] "Coupled" refers to a direct or indirect connection (for example, at least an intermediate connection) between one or more objects or components. The phrase "directly connected" means a direct connection between objects or components.

[0033] As used here, the terms "axial", "axially", "longitudinal" and "longitudinally" refer interchangeably to the direction that extends along the length of an axis, such as the axis of a mounting component of an electric submersible pump (ESP), such as an ESP inlet, multistage centrifugal pump, sealing section, gas separator or charge pump.

[0034] "Downstream" or "upward" refers alternately to the direction

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9/22 longitudinal with the main fluid flow elevated when the pump assembly is in operation. As an example, but not a limitation, in a vertical well-bottom ESP set, the downstream direction can cross the well towards the wellhead. The “top” of an element refers to the most downstream side of the element, regardless of whether the pump assembly is horizontal, vertical, inclined or extends through a radius.

[0035] "Upstream" or "down" refers alternately to the longitudinal direction opposite to the main flow of the elevated fluid when the pump set is in operation. As an example, but not a limitation, in a vertical well-bottom ESP set, the upstream direction can cross the well in the opposite direction from the wellhead. The "bottom" of an element refers to the side upstream of the element, regardless of whether the pump assembly is horizontal, vertical, inclined or extends through a radius.

[0036] To facilitate the description, the invention is described mainly in terms of the axis of a multistage centrifugal pump in an ESP assembly. However, illustrative modalities are not so limited and can be used in ESP components that use a shaft and / or drive shaft, for example, ESP motor, sealing section, centrifugal pump, charge pump, gas separator and / or another similar axis that uses retention against axial displacement. The retaining ring anti-migration system and method can be used with any axle susceptible to axial shaft movement as a result of retaining ring migration, including axial flow, mixed flow or radial flow pumps.

[0037] To facilitate the description so as not to obscure the invention, the illustrative modalities are described mainly in relation to a retaining ring near the top and / or bottom of a centrifugal pump shaft. However, the invention is not so limited and can be used in

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10/22 any location along the length of an axis where a spring ring, spiral ring, loop ring or other similar retaining ring is employed. For example, illustrative modalities can be used at multiple locations along the axis of a gas separator and / or can be included at any point along an axis in which a spiral ring or loop ring is employed.

[0038] Illustrative modalities can prevent the migration of a retaining ring from its shaft groove while still allowing the displacement of the shaft within a permitted clearance range. Illustrative modalities can mitigate the risks associated with retaining ring migration, such as limited ESP production and premature ESP system failure. The illustrative modalities can limit the axial movement of an ESP axis despite the forces applied during the operation.

[0039] Illustrative modalities include a trap sleeve involving a retaining ring that is seated within a groove on a rotating axis. The trap sleeve may include a sleeve body keyed to the shaft and a jacket that extends axially from the body and separated from the shaft by a clearance. The trap sleeve sleeve can wrap around the outside diameter of the retaining ring and secure the retaining ring inside the sleeve, which can provide a barrier to the migration of the retaining ring from its shaft groove. In some embodiments, the trap sleeve may include a groove around its inner diameter opposite the groove in the shaft, and the retaining ring can be seated inside and / or positioned between the groove in the sleeve and the groove in the shaft. In some embodiments, the trap glove may include a notch, a notch that can match the ears of a loop ring. The notch can be included on one side of the shirt, providing an opening through which the ears of the loop ring can extend and be similarly attached. The notch can be positioned 180 ° from the switched connection between the body of the trap sleeve and

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11/22 the axis.

[0040] The illustrative modalities may include a method of installing an anti-immigration ring retaining system of illustrative modalities. The illustrative modalities can be particularly useful when multiple trap gloves are used on the same axis. For example, when a first trap sleeve of illustrative modalities has been installed around the bottom end of an axis, the method of illustrative modalities can be used to install a second trap sleeve around the top end of the same axis. A method of installing anti-immigration retaining ring of illustrative embodiments may include fitting a retaining ring into a groove on an inner diameter of a trap sleeve. A trouser tool can then be inserted into the retaining ring to expand the retaining ring out into the groove of the sleeve. The trap sleeve with the expanded retaining ring and the wedge tool can then slide over the outside diameter of the shaft until it is aligned with a shaft groove. The wedge tool can then be removed, allowing the retaining ring to relax from an expanded state and settle into the groove of the shaft. Once in place, the trap sleeve can prevent the retaining ring from migrating out of the shaft groove.

[0041] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an anti-immigration retaining ring system of an illustrative embodiment. Axis 200 may extend centrally and longitudinally through an ESP assembly component, such as a motor, seal section, centrifugal pump, charge pump or gas separator. In the example shown in FIGs. 2A-2B, shaft 200 extends through a multistage centrifugal pump, including stages 205 of stacked impeller 260 and diffuser pairs 270. Impellers 260 can be switched on shaft 200 such that impellers 260 rotate with axis 200, and diffusers 270 can be non-rotating and closed within the

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12/22 housing 295. One end of shaft 210 may be at each of the top and bottom of shaft 200. The end of shaft 210 may include splines 280 or another similar coupling feature for rotating elements, whose splines 280 can transfer the torque between axis 200 and other axes stacked above and / or below axis 200. In FIG. 2A, the shaft end 210 extends through the base of the threaded pump 290 to the pump housing 295. The circumferential shaft groove 215 can extend 360 ° and / or, at least partially, around the outside diameter of the shaft 200 near , at and / or near the end of the shaft 210. The shaft groove 215 can be separated from the grooves 280 by the drain clearance 220. In some embodiments, the shaft groove 215 can be included anywhere along the shaft 200, in which a retaining ring can be used to prevent axial movement and / or sliding of the shaft.

[0042] A certain amount of axial displacement of shaft 200 may be allowed during operation, for example, to allow thermal expansion or load deflection of shaft 200, but shaft 200 should not move longitudinally beyond the allowed length provided by the clearance drainage 220, which can, for example, be an inch or a few centimeters. Retaining ring 230 can be a spiral ring, clamp ring, spring ring or other similar retaining ring and can serve to limit axial movement of shaft 200 by acting as a cam and / or preventing shaft 200 from moving beyond the length of the drain clearance 220 and / or the allowable clearance. Retaining rings 230 can be seated within shaft grooves 215 positioned at, near and / or near shaft ends 210 and / or positioned along shaft length 200, as needed, to provide protection against axial displacement of the shaft 200. When seated within a shaft groove 215 near the bottom of shaft 200, retaining ring 230 may limit upward axial movement of shaft 200. When seated near the

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13/22 the top of the shaft 200, the retaining ring 230 can limit the downward axial movement of the shaft 200.

[0043] Trap sleeve 225 can encircle the outer diameter of the retaining ring 230 and can provide a barrier to migration of the retaining ring 230 out of the shaft groove 215. The retaining ring 230 can be seated in the shaft groove 215, radially into the trap sleeve 225. Returning to FIG. 2B, the trap sleeve 225 can include the sleeve body 235 and the sleeve 240. The sleeve body 235 can be switched or otherwise coupled to the shaft 200 by a torque transfer connection, and the sleeve 240 can extend from the sleeve body 235 over the retaining ring 230. The sleeve body 235 can be positioned above or below the retaining ring 230, depending on the location of the retaining ring 230 along axis 200. For example, when the trap sleeve 225 is positioned near the top of shaft 200, trap sleeve 225 can be oriented with body 235 under retaining ring 230 and jacket 240 extending upward over retaining ring 230. The edge of the body of sleeve 235 at the interface between sleeve body 235 and sleeve 240, it may form the shoulder 275 adjacent to the retaining ring 230. Depending on the position of the shaft 200 and whether the retaining ring 230 is at the top end 210 or at the end 210 of the 210 axis, the shoulder 275 may extend slightly above the retaining ring 230, slightly below the retaining ring 230 and / or it can touch the retaining ring 230. When the glove body 235 touches the retaining ring 230, the retaining ring 230 can act as a shoulder which presses and / or wedges against the sleeve body 235 and can prevent the shaft 200 from moving in the direction of the sleeve body 235. For example, the retaining ring 230 can prevent the shaft 200 from moving upward if the sleeve body 235 is above the retaining ring 230 or prevent downward movement if the sleeve body 235 is below the retaining ring 230. The sleeve body 235 can be switched on the 200

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14/22 such that the trap sleeve 225 rotates with the axis. The jacket 240 can rotate with the axis 200 because it is contiguous with the sleeve body 235, but the jacket 240 may not be directly connected to the axis 200.

[0044] In the centrifugal pump illustrative of FIGs. 2A-2B, the spacer sleeve 250 can be keyed to the shaft above the trap sleeve 225, and the bearing sleeve 255, which can be flanged, can seat above the spacer sleeve 250 within the bushing 265 to provide axial thrust and / or radial to shaft 200. Spacing sleeve 285 can separate flanged sleeve 255 from impeller 260 and determine the operating height of impeller 260. In some embodiments, shaft 200 may be an axis of another ESP component, such as the motor, section seal, gas separator and / or charge pump, which can similarly use retaining ring 230 and trap sleeve 225 anywhere along the respective drive shaft in which a retaining ring is used to mitigate displacement of the axis.

[0045] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate the exemplary displacement of the axis 200, within the permitted drainage, and operation of the anti-migration system of illustrative modalities to limit such displacement of the axis 200 beyond a permitted tolerance that does not adversely affect the performance of the pump. FIG. 3A illustrates an example of upward displacement of axis 200 bounded by retaining ring 230 near the bottom of axis 200. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the event that the shaft 200 moves upward, the retaining ring 230 near the bottom of the shaft 200 may mint against the shoulder 275 formed at the intersection between the body 235 and the sleeve 240 of the trap sleeve 225. Key connections described here they can provide torque transmission between axis 200 and the switched component, while allowing axial movement of the switched component. Spacer sleeve 250, bearing sleeve 255, spacing sleeve 285 and impeller 260, all keyed to shaft 200, can slide together with shaft 200 due to the pressure and / or wedge of retaining ring 230 in the

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15/22 boss 275, until impeller 260 touches diffuser 270 above this impeller 260, thus limiting the movement of shaft 200 and / or preventing shaft 200 from moving through the pump head. In this example of upward displacement of the shaft, the retaining ring 230 at the top of the shaft 200 may remain within the sleeve 240 of the top trap sleeve 225, despite the movement of the retaining ring 230 with the shaft 200 within the allowable drain clearance. 220.

[0046] In some embodiments, trap sleeve 225 may be omitted at the top of shaft 200 and only trap sleeve 225 at the bottom of shaft 200 may be employed. For example, in some embodiments, the upward displacement of the axis 200 may be of greater concern than the downward displacement of the axis, and in such cases, a single trap sleeve 225 may be employed at, near and / or near the end of bottom 210 of the shaft without the need for a second trap sleeve 225 on, near and / or near the top end 210.

[0047] FIG. 3B illustrates an example of downward displacement of the axis bounded by the retaining ring 230 near the top of the axis 200. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, if axis 200 moves downwardly, a trap sleeve 225 and a pair of retainer 230 on top of axis 200 can limit downward movement of axis 200 in a similar manner as described above, with retaining ring 230 pressing upwardly over the shoulder 275 of the trap sleeve 225 near the top of the shaft 200. In this case, the retaining ring 230 at the bottom of the shaft 200 can slide downwards under the sleeve 240 of the trap sleeve 225 at the bottom of the shaft 200, away of the shoulder 275 of the bottom trap sleeve 225. The length of the jacket 240 can be formed in such a way that the jacket 240 is long enough to enclose its paired retaining ring 230, despite the range of movement of the shaft 200 allowed by the ring retainer 230 at opposite end 210 of shaft 200.

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16/22

[0048] Returning to FIG. 4A-4D, the trap sleeve 225 may include the sleeve 240 which may extend axially from the sleeve body 235 over, around and / or towards the retaining ring 230 to enclose the retaining ring 230 seated in the groove of the shaft 215. The sleeve 240 can hold the retaining ring 230 and serve as a barrier for the migration of the retaining ring 230 from the groove of the shaft 215. The sleeve 240 can be a part of the trap sleeve 225 that is not keyed to the shaft. 200 and / or do not touch, directly contact the shaft 200. The jacket 240 can extend circumferentially around and over the retaining ring 230. Once the jacket 240 passes through the retaining ring 230, the clearance 245 (shown in Figure 2B) can be formed between the axis 200 and the jacket 240. The retaining ring 230 can be seated inside the groove 215 and extend radially outward through the gap 245 towards the inner diameter of the jacket 240. In one embodiment non-limiting illustration, clearance 245 may be between 0.03 mm and 0.08 mm. The inner diameter of the sleeve 240 can be large enough to enclose the outer diameter of the retaining ring 230 in order to secure the retaining ring 230 within the groove of the shaft 215. The sleeve 240 can secure the retaining ring 230 blocking migration radial retaining ring 230, which can prevent the retaining ring 230 from radial and / or axial movement which can cause the retaining ring 230 to fire, slide, stretch and / or move out of the shaft groove 215. The liner 240 can extend a length along the axis 200 that allows the retaining ring 230 to move axially with the axis 200 while still remaining enclosed within the liner 240 within the groove of the axis 215. In some embodiments, the length of the sleeve 240 may be approximately the same length as the drain clearance 220. In an illustrative example, the sleeve 240 may extend a length of 1.6-2.2 cm from the body of the sleeve 235, which may allow the retaining ring 230 perm closed by shirt 240, despite a 1.6-2.2 cm offset from the axis

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17/22

200. When the anti-immigration system of illustrative modalities is installed, the jacket 240 may press against the outer diameter of the retaining ring 230 or there may be a space between the outer diameter of the retaining ring 230 and the inner diameter of the jacket 240.

[0049] The sleeve body 235 can include a key 405 that can couple the sleeve body 235 to the shaft 200, for example with the key 610 (shown in FIG. 6B), such that the trap sleeve 225 rotates with the shaft 200. Trap sleeve 225 may be composed of steel, tungsten carbide, Ni-resisted and / or other material with similar properties. The sleeve body 235 may be tubular, cylindrical and / or hollow cylindrical and be connected to the outside diameter of the shaft 200 by means of a keyed, screwed, friction-adjusted, threaded and / or other similar torque transfer connection. The liner 240 may be tubular in shape, but with the inner diameter of the liner 240 greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve body 235, to form the gap 245 between shaft 200 and the liner 240. Referring to FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D, the wall of the sleeve body 235 can be thicker in a radial direction than the wall of the sleeve 240. In an illustrative example, the thickness of the body 410 can be 0.3 cm while the thickness of the shirt 415 can be 0 , 1 cm.

[0050] In some embodiments, the trap sleeve 225 and / or the jacket 240 may include the groove of the sleeve 420 in the groove of the opposite shaft 215 and / or the retaining ring 230. FIG. 4B and FIG. 4D illustrate an exemplary trap glove 225 with glove slot 420 of illustrative embodiments. The glove groove 420 can be placed around the sleeve 240 of the adjacent sleeve body 235 and / or the nearby trap sleeve 225, at and / or over the intersection between the sleeve 240 and the sleeve body 235 and / or the shirt 240 adjacent to shoulder 275. As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, when seated, the retaining ring 230 can be seated within each sleeve groove 420 and shaft groove 215 and / or within the defined space

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18/22 through the aligned grooves 215, 420. The sleeve groove 420 can be particularly beneficial in a trap sleeve 225 that is installed second, subsequently and / or last, where a trap sleeve 225 is employed at both ends 210 axis 200 and / or at multiple locations along axis 200. The sleeve groove 420 can simplify the installation of the trap sleeve 225, for example, by allowing the use of the shim tool 700 (shown in FIG. 7) for installation . The sleeve groove 420 can extend circumferentially around the inner diameter of the trap sleeve 225 and / or the sleeve 240 and oppose and / or align with the groove of the shaft 215. The sleeve groove 420 and / or the set of grooves 215, 420 can provide a space that contains the retaining ring 230 and holds the retaining ring 230 in place, even if the retaining ring 230 has been overloaded by its yield strength and / or is subject to forces applied during the operation of the ESP pump or other machine employing shaft 200. The inner diameter of sleeve groove 420 may be greater than the outer diameter of retaining ring 230 when retaining ring 230 is seated in the groove of shaft 215 in a non- expanded, providing space for expansion of the retaining ring 230 without allowing axial migration of the retaining ring 230. As demonstrated by the comparison and contrast of FIG. 4C with FIG. 4D, in embodiments where the sleeve 240 includes the sleeve groove 420, the sleeve 240 can be reduced in length since the sleeve groove 420 can provide a shoulder above and below the retaining ring 230, such that the sleeve Trap 225 moves with retaining ring 230 instead of retaining ring 230 moving under jacket 240, the latter as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

[0051] During installation, the retaining ring 230 can be expanded by the shim tool 700 to allow the retaining ring 230 to be placed around the shaft 200, before being seated within the groove of the shaft 215.0 additional space provided by sleeve groove

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19/22

420, may allow the retaining ring 230 to be expanded during installation and positioned under the trap sleeve 225. When in place, the retaining ring 230 can rest at least partially within the groove of the sleeve 420 and at least partially within of the shaft groove 215, and / or it can fit inside the groove of the shaft 215 into the groove of the sleeve 420. The outside of the retaining ring 230 can seat and / or be positioned in the groove of the sleeve 420, while the inside of the retaining ring 230 can be seated in the groove of the shaft 215. When seated, the retaining ring 230 can be secured and / or closed between the groove of the shaft 215 and the groove of the sleeve 420 so that it remains in place on the shaft 200, even when the axis 200 moves along the allowable clearance 220.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 6A-6D, where the retaining ring 230 includes ears 600, as in the forms of the loop ring, jacket 240 may include notch 605 to provide space for ears 600. Notch 605 can hold ears 600 in a position 180 ° from the shaft wrench 610 in order to prevent the shaft wrench 610 from migrating through the gap 615 between the ears of the retaining ring 600. The sleeve sleeve 240 can extend around the arch 620 of the retaining ring 230 when the trap sleeve 225 is in place over the retaining ring 230. The notch 605 can be a slot, notch, opening and / or indentation in the jacket 240 that provides an ear space 600 on the side of the jacket 240 opposite the key 610 and / or 180 ° of key 610. The notch can wrap both ears 600 and extend longitudinally into the jacket 240 to allow the retaining ring 230 to slide with the shaft 200 under the jacket 240. The positioning of the ears 600 in 180 ° orientation from key d shaft 610 can prevent key 610 from sliding through gap 615 in retaining ring 230 during rotation of shaft 200. Where shaft 200 is a centrifugal pump shaft, care must be taken to prevent key 610 from migrating through the space 615 between the ears 600 of the retaining ring 230,

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20/22 to prevent impellers 260 from losing engagement with key 610.

[0053] A method of illustrative modalities may be employed to place retaining rings 230 with trap sleeves 225 at both ends 210 of shaft 200 and / or where multiple trap sleeves 225 are employed along a single shaft 200. O mode of illustrative embodiments can be particularly useful with respect to installing a second trap sleeve 225 on a second end 210 of the axis 200, where a first trap sleeve 225 has been previously installed on a first end 210 of the axis 200. For example, the method of illustrative embodiments can be used to install a second trap sleeve 225 near the top of the axis 200 once a first trap sleeve 225 has been installed near the bottom of the same axis 200, or vice versa. Illustrative embodiments may employ a wedge tool to install the trap sleeve 225 and the retaining ring 230 in position on the axis 200.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 7, the wedge tool 700 may have a hollow cylindrical shape with an internal diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 200, so as to allow the wedge tool 700 to slide over the shaft 200. The wedge tool 700 may include collar 705 that extends axially from the inside diameter of tubular body 715 of the shim tool 700. Necklace 705 may allow the shim tool 700 to fit inside the trap sleeve 225 below the inside diameter of the retainer 230 and / or between shaft 200 and retainer ring 230. Collar 705 may include bevel 710 which may form a sloping surface at the tip of collar 705 to allow the chock tool 700 to slide under the retaining ring 230 without gripping retaining ring 230. Bevel 710 can tilt towards axis 200 (inward) as it extends away from tubular body 715. Platform 720 can be formed when collar 705 connects to the body

Petition 870190098714, of 10/02/2019, p. 64/88

21/22 tubular 715 of the shim tool 700. The platform 720 can extend along the width and / or top of the tubular body 715 from the outer diameter of the collar 705 to the outer diameter of the tubular body 715. The platform 720 can seat the base 800 (shown in FIG. 8D) of the trap sleeve 225 during the installation of the retaining ring 230 on the shaft 200.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8D, a method for installing a retaining ring anti-migration system of illustrative embodiments may include aligning the retaining ring 230 with the sleeve groove 420 within the trap sleeve 225 and / or jacket 240. Since the retaining ring retention 230 is aligned with the glove groove 420, the collar 705 of the shim tool 700 can slide inside the trap sleeve 225 until the base 800 of the trap sleeve 225 rests on the platform 720 of the shim tool 700. As the collar 705 slides into trap sleeve 225, collar 705 can pass inside retaining ring 230 and expand retaining ring 230 outward, such that retaining ring 230 expands into the groove of sleeve 420 The trap sleeve 225, with the retaining ring 230 expanded into the groove of the sleeve 420, can be positioned in such a way that the key 405 of the sleeve body 235 can be aligned and fit with the shaft key 610. The sleeve trap 225, with the retaining ring expanded 230 and the shim tool 700, can then slide around and along the axis 200 until the retaining ring 230 is aligned with the groove of the axis 215. FIG. 8B illustrates the trap sleeve 225 with the shim tool 700 and the expanded retaining ring 230 sliding around the shaft 200 and moving towards a position where the retaining ring 230 will be aligned with the groove of the shaft 215. The FIGs. 8A and 8C illustrate the retaining ring 230 aligned with the groove of the shaft 215, with the shim tool 700 inserted and expanding the retaining ring 230 in the groove of the sleeve 420. Once aligned, the shim tool 700 can then be removed of the shaft 200, leaving the retaining ring 230 and the trap sleeve 225 in place around the shaft

Petition 870190098714, of 10/02/2019, p. 65/88

22/22

200, and allowing the retaining ring 230 to contract in the groove of the shaft 215, as shown in FIG. 8D. The retaining ring 230 can thus be seated within the groove of the shaft 215 and within the trap sleeve 225 and, once fitted using the method of illustrative modalities, the trap sleeve 225 can block the migration of the retaining ring 230 out of the groove axis 215.

[0056] A retaining ring antimigration system and method has been described. Other modifications and alternative modalities of various aspects of the invention may be evident to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Therefore, this description should be interpreted as illustrative only and is intended to teach those skilled in the art the general way of carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the modalities presented and described here must be considered as the presently preferred modalities. Elements and materials can be replaced by those illustrated and described here, parts and processes can be reversed, and certain features of the invention can be used independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes can be made to the elements described herein without departing from the scope and range of equivalents as described in the following claims. In addition, it should be understood that the features described herein independently can, in certain embodiments, be combined.

Claims (15)

1. Retaining ring anti-migration system, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a retaining ring seated in a shaft groove, the shaft groove extending circumferentially around an electric submersible pump (ESP) shaft; a trap glove extending around the ESP axis adjacent to the retaining ring, the trap glove comprising: a glove body attached to the ESP axis such that the trap sleeve rotates with the ESP axis; and a jacket extending axially from the sleeve body over an outside diameter of the retaining ring; and a gap between the ESP axis and an inner diameter of the jacket. 2. Retaining ring anti-migration system according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer diameter of the retaining ring is pressed against the inner diameter of the jacket. 3. Retaining ring anti-migration system according to claim 1, characterized in that the trap sleeve further comprises a sleeve groove that extends circumferentially around the inner diameter of the jacket opposite the shaft groove, at least settling partially in the groove of the shaft and at least partially in the groove of the sleeve and, optionally, where the groove of the sleeve is close to an intersection between the body of the sleeve and the shirt, and the retaining ring abuts the body of the sleeve. 4. Retaining ring anti-migration system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the sleeve body is attached to the ESP axis by a key, the jacket comprises a 180 ° notch of the key, and the retaining ring comprises a pair of ears that extend to the notch 5. Retaining ring anti-migration system according to Petition 870190098714, of 10/02/2019, p. 85/88 2/4 claim 1, characterized by the fact that the ESP shaft is a centrifugal pump shaft, the retaining ring is seated in the close grooves at one end of the ESP shaft and the retaining ring is separated from the grooves by a gap. 6. Retaining ring anti-migration system according to claim 1, characterized in that an intersection between the sleeve body and the shirt forms a shoulder, and the retaining ring is wedged against the shoulder to limit axial migration of the ESP axis 7. Retaining ring anti-migration system according to claim 1, characterized in that there are at least two retaining rings and at least two retaining sleeves around the ESP axis, a first retaining ring of at least two rings retainer and a first retaining sleeve of at least two attached gloves adjacent to a top of the ESP axis, and a second retaining ring of at least two retaining rings and a second trap sleeve of at least two adjacent attached trap gloves to a bottom of the ESP axis. 8. Retaining ring anti-migration system according to claim 1, characterized in that the jacket is configured to prevent radial expansion of the retaining ring. 9. Retaining ring anti-migration system according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining ring is one of a spiral ring, a spring ring or a loop ring. 10. Method for installing a retaining ring anti-migration system around an axis of the electric submersible pump (ESP), the installation method characterized by the fact that it comprises: aligning a retaining ring with a shirt groove that extends circumferentially around an inside of a shirt, the shirt extending from a body of a trap sleeve; pass a collar from a shim tool inside a Petition 870190098714, of 10/02/2019, p. 86/88 3/4 retaining ring inner diameter to expand the retaining ring in the sleeve groove; slide the trap sleeve with the expanded retaining ring and the wedge tool around the ESP shaft until the retaining ring is aligned with a shaft groove and a key along the trap sleeve body is keyed on the ESP shaft ; remove the collar from inside the retaining ring to allow the retaining ring to relax in the shaft groove and, optionally, block blocked migration of the retaining ring out of the shaft groove with the liner. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the relaxed retaining ring rests partially in the groove of the shaft and partially in the groove of the jacket. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the jacket comprises a 180 ° notch of the key, the retaining ring comprises a pair of ears and the retaining ring is aligned with the groove of the jacket in such a way that the pair of ears extends to the notch. 13. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the shaft groove is close to the end of the ESP shaft and the retaining ring prevents axial migration of the ESP shaft and, optionally, before sliding the trap around the ESP axis, the ESP axis comprises a second trapped sleeve next to a second end of the ESP axis, the second trap sleeve comprising a second jacket that extends over a second retaining ring positioned around the ESP axis ; and, optionally, when installed, the retaining ring and the second retaining ring together prevent axial displacement of the ESP axis in addition to a drain clearance. Petition 870190098714, of 10/02/2019, p. 87/88 4/4 14. Retaining ring anti-migration system for a centrifugal pump shaft of an electric submersible pump set, the retention ring anti-migration system, characterized by the fact that it comprises a pair of trap sleeves that comprise a pair of retaining ring, a retaining ring of the pair of retaining rings around each end of the shaft enclosed by a trap sleeve from the pair of trap sleeves, the pair of retaining rings configured to limit the axial migration of the up and down axis and a plurality of centrifugal pump stages between the axle pair of retaining rings and, optionally, wherein the pair of trap sleeves includes a first trap sleeve near a bottom end of the axle coupled with a first retaining ring of the pair of retaining rings, and a second trap sleeve near a top end of the shaft coupled with a second retaining ring of the pair of retaining rings, the first armored sleeve It comprises an elongated sleeve and the first retaining ring movable axially below the sleeve, and a second trap sleeve comprising a sleeve groove in which the second retaining ring extends into the sleeve groove. 15. Retaining ring anti-immigration system according to claim 14, characterized in that each trap glove of the trap glove pair includes a shirt extending from a body, the body keyed to the axis and the intersection of the shirt and the body forming a shoulder against which the retaining ring wedges to limit axial migration of the shaft and, optionally, further comprises a series of sleeves switched on the shaft between a trap sleeve and a centrifugal pump impeller.